Obi’s wife’s gives prison inmates varsity scholarships

It the beginning of every year, she visits the prisons. The visit is to give the inmates a sense of belonging. This year, which is nine days old, was no different. When Margaret Peter-Obi, wife of the governor of Anambra State, visited prison inmates last week, their joy knew no bound. They got more than what they expected from her.

Okoye Chukwunonso Christopher, Chikezie Anene and Chinwuba Anachunam David who had just gained admission into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) got promises of scholarship from the governor’s wife.

Mrs Obi usually visits the prison along with two others. She embarks on the visit in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development led by its Commissioner, Lady Henrietta Azuka Agbata. The visit is coordinated by the Director, Social Welfare in the Ministry, Mrs Rose Udeagbara.

The inmates also got over 18 bags of rice, 14 bags of beans, 22 bags of garri, sanitary items, beverages, tubers of yam, cartons of soap, detergents, disinfectant, over 300 pieces of towels, food spices, a set of computer, among others.

Others were mattresses, blankets, water pumps, sewing machines, car tryes, diesel, cobweb brooms and N100,000 each. These items were presented to the prison inmates at Onitsha, Awka and Aguata in the spirit of Christmas.

And through that visit, Obi’s wife has equipped their skill acquisition centres at Onitsha, Awka and Ekwulobia prisons, where many inmates have been empowered in crafts and computer knowledge as well as other skills. She urged them not to neglect skill acquisition.

The inmates, who surprisingly were more articulate than some of their guards reeled out their needs that moved the governor’s wife. She assured them that a leeway would come and, indeed, they believed her because earlier promises were fulfilled.

The governor’s wife extolled the comportment of the prison inmates during the interactive session and thanked the prison staff for shepherding the flock entrusted in their hands.

Mrs Obi assured the inmates that prison is not a place to suffer, but a corrective and formative place, a punitive institution. She advised them not to stay like people who don’t have hope, but to think of what brought them to the prison and how to avoid such act when released.

She said: “So many people have acquired some skills from the prison, some attended schools from prison. So, we praise you for writing your exam here and securing admission in NOUN. We shall support three of you that gained admission. We are already talking with the judiciary to fast track the cases of those who are still awaiting trial. We thank the governor, for his all inclusive government hence it is possible to remember you people here as our brothers and sisters always in all aspects to ensure you are a bit comfortable here. I assure you that the issues you raised would be properly studied and looked into for solution.”

Lady Agbata enjoined them not to go back street life, but to always do whatever that will promote peace in the society.

She said: “Your stay here pains us as mothers. Please try and avoid the act that led you here when you are out. God knows why you are here and our prayer is that you are freed”.

Deputy Controller of Prisons Chigbata Anthony Uchenna and Mr Ndupu Azuka, praised the governor, his wife and her team for their gesture for remembering those behind bars.

Mr Chigbata revealed that Awka Prisons inmates are 440, but only 22 are convicted while others are awaiting trial.

He said: “They used to pay this kind of visit twice yearly; and each time they come, so many good things come with them. In 2010; the governor donated Hilux vehicles for the prison, which help us attend to court cases. When our wall collapsed in June this year, the governor came to our rescue by rebuilding it. We thank him and his wife for her support to the prison, but like Oliver Twist, we need some more. Our cell is a close system and they need to bath regularly and a generator plant of about 10-13 KVA that can power the sumo.”

Mrs Obi also donated items and cash worth several millions of naira to the families of the first babies of the year in three senatorial zones of the state.

Mrs Obi gave the families a cash gift of N100,000, N70,000 and N50,000 and other donations including milk, powder , beverages, pampers, sanitary towels, among others respectively to parents of the first, second and third babies of the year in the state.

Other babies delivered on the new year day were also appreciated with the sum of N20,000 each among other items among other items donated to them including milk, powder, lotion, beverages, pampers, sanitary towels to mention but a few.

The first baby of the year in Anambra state, baby Ani , a bouncing baby boy was delivered by Mrs Amaka Ani from Ihiala at University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra South senatorial zone by 12:12am and weighed 4:6kg.

The second baby was delivered by Mrs. Emmanuel Nnagboo at Primary Health Centre Nteje by 12:15am and weighed 2.5k.g while the third baby, baby Ejiofor, was delivered at exactly 2:30am at Amaku General Hospital, Awka and weighed 3.kg. Out of the six babies delivered on New Year day, five were males.

While congratulating the mothers of the new born babies for safe delivery, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Obi accompanied by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Lady Agbata explained that the visit was aimed at rejoicing with the new born babies in Anambra State as they are the greatest gift of the year to the state and mankind. She, therefore, prayed fervently for the new born babies for God’s protection and care.

She said: “First babies of the year is a traditional thing not only in Anambra State but all over the nation and we do this to support the citizens. Our prayer is that the good Lord protects the children so that they will be successful in life and bring blessings and succour to their parents, the state and the entire nation and beyond”.

Mrs Obi urged mothers to exclusively breast feed their babies. “It has a lot of advantages to the baby and to the mothers as it is the best way to immunise the children” she said.

The parents of the babies praised the governor and his wife for their kind gesture. Mother of the first baby of the year, Mrs Amaka Ani praised God for a safe delivery, saying she would ensure her child is given exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months.